Chester Zoo has some positive news to share following the awful fire earlier this month.

Last summer planning permission was granted for a brand new lion enclosure on a seven hectare plot of agricultural land to the north of the zoo.

And the aim is for the new and larger habitat for the endangered Asiatic lions to open in 2019.

The zoo is creating new world class animal habitats as part of its long-term vision as a leading visitor attraction, global conservation charity and centre of animal welfare. That’s why the fire at Monsoon Forest Habitat, which only opened in 2015, is such a blow.

Lazy lions at Chester Zoo

A document about the Asiatic Lions Exhibit states: “The development includes an animal holding building, on-show and off-show animal enclosures and a public viewing area. The area will be accessed by the public via a footpath extension from within the zoo.”

The existing lion enclosure, near the central part of the zoo, is one of the oldest exhibits at the zoo. And the relocation will allow enhancements to the setting of the adjacent Oakfield House where founder George Mottershead and his family lived when they started to build their zoo in the 1930s.

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Chester Zoo fire

The document continues: “The Asiatic lions currently held at Chester Zoo consist of one male and two females. The relocation of these lions is due to behavioural issues seen with these lions during the adjacent construction of ‘Madagascar Play’ and the renovations of Oakfield House in 2017.

“The intention is to relocate the lions prior to any other developments in this area.”

The late June Mottershead, daughter of founder George, playing with lion cubs, from her book Reared at Chester Zoo

A zoo spokesman, in a statement released before the fire, said there was an intention to open a major new Madagascan habitat for lemurs in 2019.

He added: “Later in 2019, a new habitat for our endangered Asiatic lions will open to visitors as part of this major redevelopment. Work is underway now to create this state of the art new area. Our trio of lions will remain in their current habitat until works are complete.

“Once the lions are settled in their new home, their existing habitat will be revised as part of our strategic development plan for the zoo.”